Paul di Resta was left to reflect on only one positive from a miserable British Grand Prix that lasted just two laps - the fans.
Minimal contact with the Lotus of Romain Grosjean going into The Loop on the opening lap at Silverstone resulted in the Scot spinning off with a puncture to the right-rear tyre of his Force India.
Although Di Resta managed to trundle back to the pits, it became apparent on his subsequent lap that damage to the floor had also been sustained, forcing him to retire after just five minutes.
It was Di Resta's first retirement in 24 races, stretching back to last year's Turkish Grand Prix.
It was a bitter pill to swallow given his enthusiasm ahead of the event, and with vast support for the 26-year-old clearly in evidence due to the number of banners and Saltires adorning the grandstands.
A disappointed Di Resta said: "There's not a lot I can say about that race, and very little to take out of it.
"The one positive for me were the fans. They were just fantastic throughout the entire weekend.
"They had to cope with so much given the conditions, but they turned out in their thousands to support us."
Di Resta started 10th on the grid, with his team compromising qualifying for a race set-up attuned to dry conditions.
It was a gamble given the amount of rain that had fallen the previous few days, but remarkably the race was a dry one run under patchy blue skies and the occasional burst of sunshine.
Sadly for Di Resta he never got the opportunity to cash in, adding: "It's a shame what happened, such a silly little thing.
"Grosjean had a little touch with (Lewis) Hamilton, and I then got alongside him and left him room, but it looks like his front wing contacted my rear tyre.
"It's difficult to say whose fault it was, or whatever, but I did leave him room. Unfortunately, the tyre came straight off the rim, and it was so early in the lap.
"When I then tried to get back to the pits I ripped half the floor off the back of the car.
"I went back out, but went off (track) again. If you look at the numbers and the downforce we lost, it was evident there was no way we could continue.
"I saved the engine at least, which might be a benefit somewhere else.
"But what happened is so disappointing because last year was such a hard race. Now we go to Hockenheim (for the German Grand Prix on July 22) and try to be that little bit quicker."
